Roger, Day 4

When we last saw our hero, Roger, the trauma surgeon was focused on staving off pneumonia in his “really banged up” lung. The pain meds are not giving enough relief from the chest tube (bigger than my thumb in diameter) for Roger to breathe deeply into his lungs. His breathing remains shallow, and the xray shows he is using only the top half of his lungs.

An epidural would solve the pain problem, allowing deeper breathing to take place. But his blood is not clotting perfectly, and anesthesiologists will only poke holes in the spines of people who have perfect scores on clotting factors. Picky, picky.

The best we can do, then, is to have Roger walk around a lot, sit up a lot, and work on his breathing exercises. He can now inhale 1750 ml of air. Today’s target is 3000.

Tessa and Reed visited today on their way to our family’s 50th anniversary celebration for my parents. The whole fam-damily (except for Roger and me) is heading to Park City for a week of recreation and togetherness.

The kids enjoyed hanging out with their Daddy, and they even helped get him up and walk him around the ward. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of wailing when it was time for Grandma and Grandpa to get them in the van for the trip. But Mom tells me that stopped as soon as the DVD player came on. God Bless Tolkien.

Roger’s had visits from friends and neighbors. People are bringing me meals. Food shows up in my fridge, still bare from our trip last week to Boston/NY State. Offers to help and words of love are pouring in.

This kindness makes me cry more even than the situation does. I don’t know why. I am exhausted, having trouble sleeping, and raw. The idea that people have so much goodness in them just brings me to that core place where I am all tears.

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0 thoughts on “Roger, Day 4”

My thoughts and cheers are with you! Breath deep “GO ROG GO” know it is hard but you can do it, I have seen you dance sweat and breath heavy like a champ. Maybe if they play ya some good music to inspire you. I am sending you good vibes and if you need anything just ask love yall Camille

My thoughts and cheers are with you! Breath deep “GO ROG GO” know it is hard but you can do it, I have seen you dance sweat and breath heavy like a champ. Maybe if they play ya some good music to inspire you. I am sending you good vibes and if you need anything just ask love yall Camille

You’ve hardly had a chance to catch your breath. You just get off a flight from the east coast, then you’re in Estes looking forward to enjoying a wedding and then your world is upended. And you have to miss your parent’s 50th anniversary on top of it.

You’ve hardly had a chance to catch your breath. You just get off a flight from the east coast, then you’re in Estes looking forward to enjoying a wedding and then your world is upended. And you have to miss your parent’s 50th anniversary on top of it.

Sunny is exactly right – you are experiencing being a part of the chain of goodness from a different perspective than you are used to, perhaps, but you are being held as you have held so many others through so many different life experiences. I love that you are seeing this with your whole heart and your whole being, even in the midst of the rawness and the exhaustion and the questions.

Sunny is exactly right – you are experiencing being a part of the chain of goodness from a different perspective than you are used to, perhaps, but you are being held as you have held so many others through so many different life experiences. I love that you are seeing this with your whole heart and your whole being, even in the midst of the rawness and the exhaustion and the questions.

Oh Lori! I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I will be keeping you all in my prayers. So good to hear you are receiving help. I hope you are able to bring your husband home where he belongs soon.

Oh Lori! I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I will be keeping you all in my prayers. So good to hear you are receiving help. I hope you are able to bring your husband home where he belongs soon.

Yo dudette, mix yourself up some mojitos and read for a little. Just a little. I know you want to and need to and should be with Rob, but take a little time for yourself too – this is a lot to take in and deal with. So get even a teensy bit of “you” time, or try to.

Yo dudette, mix yourself up some mojitos and read for a little. Just a little. I know you want to and need to and should be with Rob, but take a little time for yourself too – this is a lot to take in and deal with. So get even a teensy bit of “you” time, or try to.